Fans note lack of women in 'Star Wars: Episode 7'

John-Henry Perera

Published 2:13 am, Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Leia Organa is the only main female character in the classic "Star Wars" films, but there are plenty of strong female characters in the Expanded Universe. Here is small sample of what you're missing out but be warned: There are spoilers.
(Anonymous, HOEP)

Leia Organa is the only main female character in the classic "Star...

Satele Shan - A human Jedi Grand Master during the Cold War between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. She was a descendant of the legendary Jedi Knight Revan.

(Star Wars)

Satele Shan - A human Jedi Grand Master during the Cold War between...

Asaji Ventress — A Dathomirian Dark Jedi (not to be confused with Sith) who became an apprentice to Count Dooku a.k.a. Darth Tyrannus during the Clone Wars.

Asaji Ventress — A Dathomirian Dark Jedi (not to be confused with...

Mara Jade - A human Jedi Master who was formerly an Emperor's Hand during the reign of Emperor Palpatine. She later turned to the light side and married Luke Skywalker, giving birth to their son, Ben.

(Star Wars)

Mara Jade - A human Jedi Master who was formerly an Emperor's Hand...

Azlyn Rae - A former Jedi turned Imperial Knight following the Jedi Purge and the rise of Darth Krayt's Sith Order. She almost became a pseudo-Darth Vader when she was brought back from the brink of death by Cade Skywalker, a distant descendant of Luke Skywalker.

(Star Wars)

Azlyn Rae - A former Jedi turned Imperial Knight following the Jedi...

Celeste Morne - A human Jedi Master and member of the misguided Jedi Covenant during the Old Republic. She later became bonded with the spirit of Sith Lord Karness Muur after discovering the cursed Muur Talisman.

(Star Wars)

Celeste Morne - A human Jedi Master and member of the misguided...

Jarael - An Arkanian offshoot and former slave, she later traveled with Jedi Zayne Carrick to dismantle both the Jedi Covenant and Crucible.

(Star Wars)

Jarael - An Arkanian offshoot and former slave, she later traveled...

Aurra Sing - A former Jedi Padawan turned vicious bounty hunter. She has survived several decades, from the rise of the Empire to the New Republic.

(Star Wars)

Aurra Sing - A former Jedi Padawan turned vicious bounty hunter....

Nomi Sunrider - A human Jedi Master and leader of the Jedi Order during the early days of the Old Republic. Eventually brought a decisive end to the Great Sith War against Exar Kun.

(Star Wars)

Nomi Sunrider - A human Jedi Master and leader of the Jedi Order...

Ahsoka Tano - A Togruta Jedi apprentice who was assigned to Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars. She later left the Order after being accused and nearly convicted for the death of an anti-Jedi activist.

(Star Wars)

Ahsoka Tano - A Togruta Jedi apprentice who was assigned to Anakin...

Bastila Shan - A Jedi Knight who had the rare ability of Battle Meditation. She dueled with the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Revan during the Jedi Civil War and later accompanied him to locate the mysterious Star Forge.

Not everyone was enthusiastic about the reveal of the main cast for "Star Wars: Episode 7."

While the promise of Mark Hamil and the rest of the classic "Star Wars" cast returning was good news, some noted a glaring issue:

There is only one new female character among the main cast.

It's not abnormal, if put in perspective with the other films. But in a time marked by a growing desire for female equality, it's a troubling issue.

It's especially troubling if we're taking the expanded universe into account. The "Star Wars" mythos, outside the films, is filled with plenty of strong female heroines and villains, including Darth Zannah, Guri and Mara Jade.

The recent animated TV series "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" included two main female characters: Ahsoka Tano and Asaji Ventress.

Science fiction blogger Annalee Newitz took the issue to task in a column:

"... When Star Wars cannot offer us anything remotely like a diverse cast of characters, at a time in history when we know better, it's not just a bad casting decision in a Hollywood office. It's a move that will absolutely shape how children think about themselves, and the possibilities that are open to them."